The Directors Guild of America has announced the participants for a newly launched TV director mentorship and professional development program for members. Part of the DGA’s Director Development Initiative, the new program builds upon the Guild’s expanded talent development lineup and push for industry inclusion.
“With television directing jobs on the rise and more industry employers heeding the call for director diversity – our members have told us that they are seeking career development resources to help set them up for success,” said DGA president Paris Barclay. “And the DGA has the best resources in the world – a deep well of talent made up of seasoned TV directors who are dedicated and eager to give back to their Guild and share their years of expert experience with the next generation. That was the driving force behind this new mentorship program and initiatives which are designed to equip early-career directors and members transitioning to episodic television directing with the tools necessary to turn those first few jobs into lifelong careers.”
As part of the mentorship experience, early-career directors (Protégés) are paired with veteran TV directors (Mentors) who will serve as their professional guides to the working world of episodic television throughout the 2017-18 season. Participants in the structured, intensive career development program are matched based on their work experience, interpersonal chemistry and mutual craft interests to ensure a fulfilling experience.
The 2017 Protégé participants are:
- Heather Cappiello
- Efrain Cortes
- Daniella Eisman
- Liz R. Hinlein
- A. Laura James
- Lena Khan
- Paige Morrow Kimball
- Steven J. Kung
- Jessica Lowrey
- Kimberly Anne McCullough
- Ramaa D. Mosley
- Steven T. Murashige
- Kim O. Nguyen
- Viet Nguyen
- Jerry Pyle
- Pascui Rivas
- Luciano Saber
- Marcus C. Stokes
- Valerie Heather Weiss
- Aprill Lynn Winney
The 2017 Mentor participants are:
- Allan Arkush
- Jamie Merrill Babbit
- Norberto Barba
- Paris Barclay
- Andy Cadiff
- Roxann Dawson
- Bill D’Elia
- Rodrigo Garcia
- Lesli Linka Glatter
- Todd Holland
- Michael Katleman
- Bob Koherr
- Gail Mancuso
- Tawnia McKiernan
- Terrence O’Hara
- Ed Ornelas
- Bethany Rooney
- David R. Semel
- Ron Underwood
- Andrew R. Wolk
In addition to one-on-one coaching, Protégés will benefit from craft and career seminars, as well as group activities with all Mentors. Last month, as part of the Director Development Initiative, Protégés engaged in a concentrated three-day DGA craft workshop.
The DGA launched the Director Development Initiative in January 2016. The Initiative’s curriculum was designed by a member committee led by the DGA’s Diversity Task Force, which is co-chaired by Bethany Rooney and Todd Holland, working closely with the DGA staff. In addition to the new mentorship program, the Initiative includes a speaker series, craft and career workshops, practical labs and networking events for members seeking to advance their television directing careers.
